Melody 3 : Action [Forward dated to morning of 2/14]

[rutagraveolens]

[Action]

[Today, Rue is a girl on a mission. With a warning from Lee about the impeding danger of Valentine's Day, Rue decides to take his advice and hide. She skips class - too many people, people could be affected already - and goes straight into the village. Melody, her mockingjay, sits on her shoulder or flies around, providing musical company.

She heads to the item shop first, looking for a sturdy backpack. She'll fill it with whatever survival gear she can find - rope, a flashlight and extra batteries, matches, a small plastic compass, etc.

From there, she heads to the clothing store, adding in some extra clothing that will be good for the outdoors.

Her final stop is the grocery store where Rue stocks up on some food. Jerky, fruit, small cans of nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, things that will last the weekend.

Before she heads out of the village, she sends a message to her household.]

[Voice | Filtered 10% to House 43]

Lee warned that a shift happens around this time and that the safest way to avoid it is to hide. So I'm going to camp out in the woods for a few days. Don't worry! I'll be fine!

---

[There. With that taken care of, Rue heads west out of the village along the river, quickly taking to the trees and climbing and jumping through them with ease. Catch her at any point in the village or out in the forest to the west.]

Comments

[rutagraveolens]

[Rue looks up, recognizing him as the person looking for his friend and as a classmate. And since she's seen Marco back in school, there's no need to ask about if he's come back yet.]

Going out into the forest. People are saying there's going to be a shift that makes people fall in love and I don't want to be around for that.

[wipesfaith]

Yeah, I heard about that. Figured I'd lay low, but I didn't even think about going as far as skipping town.

[By lay low, he means lay really low. If weird love stuff is in the air like some damn disease, his roommate is one of the last people he wants to be in contact with.]

[rutagraveolens]

I think it's safer out of town. Less people out there. And if you get out really far and still get affected, it'll take longer to get back to town.

[Rue pauses, then takes a step back.]

You're not affected by anything, are you?

1/2

[wipesfaith]

What? No, of course not! [He hastily waves off the suggestion in a defensive gesture, but he takes a step back too.]

[wipesfaith]

No offense, but you're a little young for me.

[rutagraveolens]

And you're too old!

[Rue retorts with a frown.]

But if you're not affected, that's okay. Maybe nothing's happened yet.

[wipesfaith]

I'm not old! Just older.

[But whatever.]

No, doesn't look like it. I saw my roommate earlier today, already talked with him plenty, and nothing weird happened. [Thank Maria, because he didn't realize he should be battening down the hatches already.]

[rutagraveolens]

Then I guess nothing has happened. Or... something is already in effect, but we aren't affected.

[Rue's not sure which is worse really. Though at least things seem quiet so far, but she's also skipping out on class.]

...Hey, is your friend okay? I saw he's back in class, but he hasn't said much.

1/2

[wipesfaith]

...I'll just have to keep an eye out, I guess. [A bit of an annoyed sigh. He doesn't get why the Malnosso are so obsessed with pulling the strings in their love lives.]

[wipesfaith]

[He doesn't really expect the next question.]

Marco? Yeah...he's fine. [For the most part.] Lost his voice when he came back. [Both of them are still adjusting.]

[rutagraveolens]

Oh. [Rue's expression shifts between a frown and quiet sympathy.] Is he an avox now?

[wipesfaith]

A what?

[rutagraveolens]

They're people that can't talk since their tongues were cut out.

[wipesfaith]

No, no, he still has his tongue. [Which Jean will ascertain for himself next week. Heyooo.]

...Does that really happen to people where you're from?

[rutagraveolens]

[Rue gives a light nod, her expression fading slightly into stoic calm, her voice growing quiet.]

They usually whip people in District 11 as punishment, sometimes shoot people. But sometimes people get taken to the Capitol where they're turned into an Avox.